SACRAMENTO, CALIF. — Aug. 11, 2015: Organized by the Charles M. Schulz Museum and Research Center in Santa Rosa, CA, the national traveling exhibit “Pigskin Peanuts,” chronicling the enduring cultural legacy of the world’s most popular comic strip, opens on Sept. 12, 2015 at the California Museum. Continuing through Jan. 3, 2016, the exhibit also coincides with the 65th anniversary of “Peanuts” on Oct. 2, 2015 and the release of the strip’s first 3D animated feature film, “The Peanuts Movie,” in U.S. theaters on Nov. 6, 2015.

Featuring 50 “Peanuts” Sunday and daily comic strips and over 100 pieces of “Peanuts”-themed ephemera, the exhibit chronicles the enduring cultural legacy of “Peanuts” through its football-themed storylines. Although “Peanuts” sports-related storylines are most often associated with baseball, Schulz created over 250 football-themed strips over the course of his nearly 50 year career that resulted in the strip’s most memorable joke. The iconic gag known as the “Fall Classic,” or Lucy pulling the ball away from Charlie Brown just as he runs up to kick it, has remained so well known that it has become an annual autumn rite of passage in American pop culture since it was first published on Nov. 16, 1952.

Published for nearly 50 years, “Peanuts” by Charles M. Schulz is widely regarded as one of the most influential and well-written comic strips in history. Schulz, who lived in and around Santa Rosa, CA from 1958 until his death in 2000, drew nearly 18,000 strips during his career and is commonly cited as the most influential cartoonist of all time. His legacy of innovation and influence in comics continues to inspire cartoonists and fans alike around the world today, nearly 15 years after his death.

“We are delighted to be hosting ’Pigskin Peanuts’ this fall,” said Amanda Meeker, the Museum’s Executive Director. “This fun, family-friendly exhibit highlights the creativity California is famous for and provides visitors of all ages the opportunity to explore their own creativity through hands-on activities in the exhibit’s adjoining ‘Inspiration Station,’ such as how to draw a four-panel comic strip.”

At its peak, “Peanuts” was read by more than 355 million people in 75 countries, 2,600 newspapers and 21 languages. Through the use of characters in national ad campaigns for brands like Ford, the creation of Emmy-award winning television specials and the development of official licensed merchandise, the strip grew beyond a fixture of American popular culture to become a worldwide phenomenon, resulting in a multi-million dollar empire and Schulz’s regular appearance on ”Forbes” magazine’s list of highest-paid entertainers in America, as well as his status the most widely read cartoonist of all time, whose legacy continues to shape arts and entertainment today.

The exhibit, which has been on a nationwide tour since 2014 with stops at the William J. Clinton Library in Little Rock, AR and the Elmhurst Historical Museum in Elmhurst, IL, will continue at the California Museum through Jan. 3, 2016.

RELATED PROGRAMMING:

Celebrate the opening of the traveling exhibit “Pigskin Peanuts” from the Charles M. Schulz Museum on Sept. 12 from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Festivities include free admission for all Museum members, free admission for 2 for all Snoopy plate registrants with proof of registration or $20-for-4 admission, plus hands-on activities for kids’ of all ages and more. For more information, visit http://www.CaliforniaMuseum.org/Touchdown-Party.

Bring your ticket stub from the all new 3D feature film “The Peanuts Movie” (2015) to receive 2-for-1 admission to view “Pigskin Peanuts,” a traveling exhibit from the Charles M. Schulz Museum now open at the California Museum — a savings of up to $9.00 on the cost of admission for 2. Offer valid Nov. 6, 2015 through Jan. 3, 2016 and limited to 1 –time ticket stub use only. For more information, visit http://www.CaliforniaMuseum.org/Peanuts-Movie.

Ideal for kids ages 6-12, this new holiday day camp offers participants engaging learning experiences as they explore the world’s most popular comic strip, Charles M. Schulz’s “Peanuts.” A combination of hands-on activities related to the traveling exhibit “Pigskin Peanuts” and visits to local sites, daily itineraries include drawing cartoons, ice skating and more! Light snacks included, and extended care sessions are available from 7:00-9:00 a.m. or 4:00-6:00 p.m. for an additional $35.00 each. Admission: $150.00 per camper plus free kids’ Cub Club membership with early registration by 5:00 p.m. on Sept. 30, 2015. For more information, visit http://www.CaliforniaMuseum.org/Peanuts-Camp.

ABOUT THE CHARLES M. SCHULZ MUSEUM & RESEARCH CENTER:

The Charles M. Schulz Museum & Research Center opened in August 2002 to fulfill its mission of preserving, displaying, and interpreting the art of Charles M. Schulz. The museum carries out this mission through changing exhibitions and programming that: build an understanding of cartoonists and cartoon art; illustrate the scope of Schulz’s multifaceted career; communicate the stories, inspirations and influences of Charles M. Schulz; and celebrate the life of Charles M. Schulz and the “Peanuts” characters. For more information, please visit http://www.SchulzMuseum.org.

ABOUT THE CALIFORNIA MUSEUM:

A self-supporting 501(c)3 non-profit, the California Museum — home of the official California Hall of Fame — engages, educates and enlightens people about California’s rich history and unique contributions to the world through ideas, innovation, the arts and culture. Through interactive and innovative experiences, the Museum inspires men, women and children to achieve the California dream and to make their own mark on history. Open Tues.-Sat. 10:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.; Sun.: 12:00 p.m.-5:00 p.m.; closed Mondays (except on federal holidays). Admission: adults $9.00; college students & seniors $7.50 with valid ID; youth 6-17: $6.50; children 5 & under free. For more information, visit http://www.CaliforniaMuseum.org.